The National tribune., 1887-06-02
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DaingS at the Ma
iiOnal Capital

ingtOp contained about 300 soldiers, Wbo
when not ON duty, turned themselves loose on
tie city, parading by companies with bands
aud banners, or thronging public places Ia
squads. They had tho floor and everything
else yielded 60 them They bad rather rough
time OF ii IN camp, as it rainod every day OF
the week without an exception. u was usually
clear and pleasant up TO noon, and IN the latter
part OF the day clouds and rain in abundance,
with occasional light winds that blew down
tents and created general wreck and chaos
Just as they used 90 in the war"
There were daily competitive drills, about 30
infantry companies participating IN the contest
They were conducted by board Of officers
selected from the United States Army, with
Col Henry nj. Black, 23d Infantry, al It's head.
Some Of the companies drilled superbly, hand
ling their arms and loading and firing and
going through the various cvolutons with
precision that was indeed admirable, and elic-
tied the heartiest applause from teas OF thou
sands OF spectators
The drills By tho Chicago Zouaves and the
Memphis Merchant Zouayes were unusually eN-
citing The Zouave rgan izatiOns executed many
peculiar and difficult movements with marvel
Gus rapidity and accuracy. The Chicago boys in
troduced n novel feature in their drill that was
highly appreciated by the spectators -
foot fence was erected and was used 10 give an
exhibition of how the Zouaves scale the ram
parts AZ the word OF command the men broke
for the fence. The heavier men formed pyra-
mid, leaning against the fence, and the lighter
ones jumped from back 20 back until they were
able 10 grasp the top of the fence, when they
disappeared like lightning Guns were passed
by those who were waiting their turn 10 climb.
Finally but two mon remained on the ground.
One jumped lightly on the others shoulders
aud in a moment was on the rampant The
last man passed his gun up TO him, and, keep
ing strong hold on IT, was drawn up with
great ease This performance created pro-
nj flan
tatOrs.
One Of themost interesting drills ofthe week
was the individual contest. There were %
men In line. The contest was conducted like
spelling gmatch-whenever a man made an error
he dopped out The first word Of command
took 10 men out of line, and is minutes later
but 10 men survived. When the number of
competitors had been reduced 10 five there was
much excitement. Finally but three remained,
and then there was a sharp struggle; il re-
suited i'm Private III. g .Stacke ofthe San Antonio
Rifles, capturing the first prize SeEg't Conrad,
of Co b. Washington Light Infantry, second;
Sergt Jesse T. Wagner. Of Co. A, Louisville
Legion third. Enthusiastic soldiers picked
up the winners and carried them on their
shoulders for quite a while. Sorg't Conrad was
escorted 10 camp by the members of his com
pany. The first prize consists OF gold medal
and Sl00
On "Wednesday there was general parade Of
the city. The marching was very fine, and
during the haits several of the officers took
occasion 20 put their men through the manual
OF arms, to the delight of the spectators. The
most notable incdent Of the review was the
withdrawal from the line OF the Aicksburg
Southrons and the Merchant Zouayes, Of Mem
phis, because a colored organization, the Capt.
tai City Guard, Of this city, was placed in front
of them. The action of these companies was
generally condemned, for il was the opinion of
the majority of the other Southern organiza-
tions that there was no occasion for drawing
the color line.
The greatest interest was taken in the "kid"
band from Milwaukee composed OF 80 boys from
10 16 years of age, who furnished excellent
music. The little fellows played with an in
telligence and precision not met with in many
mature organizations and were heartily APP
plauded wherever they went. They serenaded
the newspaper Offices, Grand Army headquRr-
ters and seemed 10 greatly enjoy the ovation
they received. IN some instances the instru-
ments were bigger than the boys, but they blew
them with excellent effect. When playing they
were as solemn a. little owls, but when not at
work they munched peanuts and cakes, played
numblcpeg, danced dolls and indulEed in all
the mischief that usually belongs to the boy in
RniciIcrbockers
The marksmanship contest took place at the
rife range in the Arsenal grounds. The shoot
ing was al 200, 800 500 and 600 yards. There
were 80 competitors aud the eight prizes were
won by the following scores out Of possible
200:
Lieut.. Pollard. Washington Light Infantry ....I72
Capt Chisholm, 20 l67
Private Crossman, "a
Private AiOiinR, Virginia Blues. l65
Private Cash, Washington Ligit Infantry
Lieut.. Hobart lst Mich l6l
Private JOhnsione, Washington Contincnials....l6i
lTifate fnik, lsl MIMI 100
At last change came in the weather, and
oil Sunday the weather was delightful. Not less
than 1000 people listened TO the sermon in
camp delivered by Rev. Dr. Talmage, Of Brook
lyn, N. ", and witnessed the beautiful dress
parade which followed. IL was the first decent
days weather that the drill people had and the
spectacle Ear outshone that OF any day during
the week.
Tie entire grand stand, with seats for 1900
people was filled from end 20 end, and a large
coaeourse of people moved about on the grassy
promenade in front, when at 3 o'clock DR. Tai
mage with his long-taied, black Prince Albert
OOat and has little rOund-cTowned brown felt
hat, was escorted by committee Of local gen
tlomen into the drill ground and onto the
platform which had been specially erected for
him. II was placed within dozen wards OF
the grand stand aud nearly as was practica-
blc in the middle Of that vast seni-crcle OF
Belbs, all occupied by ladies and gentlemen
eager 10 soc aud hear the famous BROOKLYN d.
vine. IL was the largest congregation he had
ever preached 10.
There are few men who could have made
choir voices carry over half the space covered
b. Mr Talmage's Office bat the Doctor sylla-
bed bis words with such a stentorian voice
that almost every word be said was plainly
heard.
Yesterday" said the orator, was Decora.
tion Day with the Confederates; tomorrow
Hll oyerthe country, The survivors VIII decorate
the graves Of those who died for the Union,
btaHciug between these Two celebrations aud
with soldiers from the North and soldiers from
Tie South mingled together in this encamp.
ment, b u not proper that we should mark The
contrast between those times when the people
Of this country met ia bloody war, when tbe
North and the South hated each other with 4
rcentiess hatred. and these better times OF
peace when North and South meet in blessed
brotherhood aud smiling pcsce2" The speaker
DC not fail 10 recall the leading experiences in
Tile soldiers life his leaving home the parting
klss thC hardships he suffered in the army h
hOmehieiness the love-letters he wrote AND
hIs Ioturu home. III he ever returned
RAIN bad spoiled nearly all the dress parade,
Oi TIE week, but that on Sunday was q splen
did exhibition The flower Of the camp wa.
IN the ranks, and the command was in ths
hands OF Gen. AuGur himself aud his able staff
biK hattalions Of picked men, including tho
Louisville Legion, the Washington Light In
fAHtry, the National Rifles, the Toledo Cadets
the RicksbUrg SouthTOns, and most of tho com
psnios who won marked distinction in the com
UetutiVQ drills were inrludad Tho Top;s. n,